Use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID

When you create a new Apple ID in some countries or regions, you can use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID username.

Here's how it works

Any time you set up an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you have the option to sign in with your existing Apple ID or create a new account. If you create a new Apple ID in iOS 11 or later, you might be able to use your mobile phone number as your username in some countries or regions. If you live in China mainland, use your (+86) mobile phone number. If you live in India, use your (+91) number. Depending on your carrier, you might be able to create a new account with a phone number on some Android devices. Just choose Create Your Apple ID from the Apple ID sign in screen and follow the instructions to create your new account.

Once your account is created, you can use it to sign in to any Apple device or service. Whenever you sign in to a new device, app, or service, you’ll enter your mobile phone number—including the country code—and your password. Be sure to use the same Apple ID everywhere you sign in so that your Apple devices and services work together seamlessly.

If you already have an Apple ID that's an email address, you might not be able to change it to a mobile phone number. However, you can associate your account with different phone numbers or email addresses on your Apple ID account page.

What you need

Here's what you need to use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID to sign in:

*Depending on how you created your Apple ID, you might be prompted to change your username from a phone number to an email address. You might also need to provide additional information.

Account security

Depending on where you created your account and how much personal information is associated with it, account security requirements might vary. When using an Apple device, it's best to use two-factor authentication. In some cases, you might be prompted to review or upgrade your security when signing in on an Apple device or an Apple website.

Messages from Apple

Since there isn't an email address associated with a phone number-based Apple ID, communications from Apple come to you through Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and your Apple ID account page.

Change your Apple ID to a different mobile phone number

Depending on the country or region that you live in and how you created your Apple ID, you might be able to change your Apple ID to a different mobile phone number from your Apple ID account page or on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

In China mainland, your new Apple ID must be another (+86) mobile phone number. In India, your new Apple ID must be another (+91) mobile phone number.

If your new mobile phone number is already connected to your Apple ID as an iMessage phone number, shared phone number, or trusted phone number, then you don't need to verify it.

Didn't get a code? If you use iOS 11.3 or later on your iPhone, you might not need to enter a verification code. In some cases, your trusted phone number can be automatically verified in the background on your iPhone. It’s one less thing to do, and your account is still protected with two-factor authentication.